Aptera (solar electric vehicle)

Aptera's efficiency is obtained by combining two factors: low drag aerodynamics and lightweight resin-filled sandwich-composite construction. Its calculated automobile drag coefficient was optimized via simulations to 0.13, significantly lower than any other production motorcycle or car.[2] The 60 kWh battery version is expected to weigh only 1,800 pounds (820 kg).[1]

The company says its calculations and simulations show the resulting Aptera requires less than 100 Wh of energy per mile on the EPA combined city and highway test cycle, making it about 2.5 times as energy efficient as the quite efficient Tesla Model 3.[1]

The Aptera's body design is similar to earlier design exercises in efficiency, including the "Fusion" human-powered vehicle produced by the Pegasus Research Company in 1984,[3] and the MIT Aztec Solar Car, which won multiple efficiency awards while racing in the American Tour de Sol in 1993.[4]

Solar panels on the hood, roof, dashboard and hatch of the Aptera EV

With the full solar package option almost 700 watts of embedded solar cells mounted on the roof, hood, dashboard and hatch will add up to 41 miles of range per day under ideal conditions.[6] Since most drivers drive less than 30 miles per day, this feature will allow such users to seldom, if ever, need to plug in to charge the batteries. Thus the Aptera was at first promoted as the world's first "Never Charge" EV.[6] The company's web site features a calculator that allows users to estimate how often to charge an Aptera based on their location and driving distance.

In October, 2022, the company announceed that Maxeon Solar Technologies will be the supplier of the solar cells. The custom 2 dimensionally curved panels will be manufactured in house by Aptera Motors from Maxeon cells.[7]

The Aptera will also be able to charge from standard 120 and 240-volt AC outlets using standard Level 1 and Level 2 charging station equipment. In January 2020, Aptera Co-CEO Chris Anthony[8] said that the vehicle will also accept high speed charges from CCS DC chargers.[9]

On December 4, 2020, Aptera Motors revealed the Aptera solar-powered prototype including a photo showing what appears to be a Tesla Supercharger shaped connector being plugged into the Aptera's charging port.[10][11] In July, 2022, the company started promoting the idea of making the Tesla charging station plug a US standard, making it eligible for US charging infrastructure grants.[12] In November Tesla announced it was revising and opening its proprietary charging system to all, naming it the North American Charging Standard (NACS).[13] A few weeks later Aptera confirmed it would use the newly opened Tesla NACS system and had selected Lectron EV as its EV charging equipment supplier.[14]

Customers can reserve an Aptera with either two or three wheel hub motors for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Each motor is capable of 50 kW (67 horsepower). The in-wheel electric motor provider has been selected to be Elaphe Ltd.[15]

Aptera's body contains very little metal. The majority of the body is made of Carbon Fiber Sheet Molding Compound CF-SMC, combined with fiberglass Sheet Molding Compound (SMC). This was revealed in a press release in November, 2022.[16]

Carbon Fiber Sheet Molding Compound is a lightweight material consisting of a random arrangement of short fibers that make it possible to mold intricately shaped parts. It offers much higher stiffness and strength than standard SMC or sheet metal parts. Because SMC can be press-molded, this process substantially reduces manufacturing time and therefore cost for Aptera's body panels.

Aptera also revealed it has signed an agreement with the C.P.C. Group of Modena, Italy to produce its composite bodies. C.P.C Group's other customers for custom CF-SMC body parts include Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati, BMW, and Lotus.

Although a three-wheeled Coupé for 2 passengers, the Aptera is not a small motorcycle. Its overall height (56 inches (1,422 mm)), width (87.6 inches (2,225 mm)) and front wheel tracking distance (77 inches (1,956 mm)) is higher and wider than a Toyota Prius or a Tesla Model S. The Aptera's wheelbase (108 inches (2,743 mm)) is longer than a Prius's. At 177 inches (4,496 mm) long, it is as long as a Prius.

The Aptera has 32.5 cubic foot (920 L) of total cargo space. [17] which is less than the similar-sized Prius which has 50.7 cubic foot (1,436 L) of cargo space with the rear seats folded down or 27.4 cubic foot (776 L) while also being able to seat 2-3 passengers in the rear row.[18] The Tesla Model 3 has 43 cubic foot (1,218 L) of cargo space with the rear seats folded down... with the rear seats up, the Model 3 has 22.9 cubic foot (648 L) of storage from two cargo compartments—a 3.1 cubic foot (88 L) front trunk and a 19.8 cubic foot (561 L) rear trunk behind the second row.[19]

The Aptera "Never Charge" EV profile.

Multiple solar panel, motor and battery configurations are planned, with ranges from 250 to 1,000 miles, at estimated prices ranging from $25,900 to over $47,000.[20]

The 3-motor all-wheel-drive versions are specified to accelerate 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.[20]

On September 18, 2020, two front-wheel drive (FWD) limited editions were announced:[21]

• The Paradigm Edition: "The Most Efficient Vehicle on the Road" with a 400-mile range, 100kW drive system, and all solar panels (220 vehicles – first production run, total price: $29,900)
• The Paradigm +: "The Most Efficient Long Range Vehicle on the Road" with a full 1,000-mile range, 100kW drive system, and all solar panels (110 vehicles – fourth production run, total price: $44,900)

The two Paradigm FWD drive editions will have a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.5 seconds.[21]

On January 20, 2023, the company announced changed specifications for their first available vehicle, the "Launch Edition".[22] As of this announcement, the first produced vehicles will all have 3 wheel drive with a 0 to 60 mph speed of 4 seconds, a top speed of 101 mph and the full 700 watt solar package. With a 6.6 kW internal charger, the initial Aptera will charge at up to 57 mph on a Level 2 (240 volt AC) charger and 13 mph on a Level 1 (120 volt AC) charger through a common Tesla defined NACS charge port. Then 3 days later they confirmed that the Launch Edition vehicles will also include DC fast charging in the range of 40 to 60 kW, equivalent to adding 400 to 600 miles per hour.[23]

Options

Front view with doors open, showing 10" clearance.

Options under consideration:[24]

• "SafetyPilot" — adds SAE Level 2 autonomy capability, including facial tracking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and emergency braking,
• Enhanced audio — provides three more channels of audio including an added lightweight transmission-line subwoofer,
• Off-road kit — increases ground clearance and provides tougher wheel covers,
• Camping kit — provides an integrated tent and rear awning,
• Pet kit — adds a pet divider, a way to secure a pet, a rear ladder and other accessories for an animal.

As of October 2019, the first prototypes of the revised Aptera EV were planned for the first quarter of 2020.[25]

In February 2020, Co-CEO Anthony stated that if the required $2.5 million funding was in place, production could begin in 9 months.[26] Later that month the company announced it had raised enough funding to see the solar EV into production. The plan was to build and test development vehicles through the 3rd quarter of 2020, then move from development into production by the end of 2020.[27]

In September 2020, Aptera published on their WeFunder investment page an investor presentation showing planned first customer availability in Q2 of 2021.[28]

The company revealed their first prototype of the solar-powered vehicle and started accepting "pre-orders" on December 4, 2020.[29] The same day Anthony wrote, "Delivery for early orders is end of 2021".[30] On January 11, 2021, he added, "If we can raise funds effectively and COVID doesn't continue to be a significant impediment we should be able to deliver 4 to 6 thousand units in 2022."[31] However, COVID did cause delays getting parts for the prototypes and getting the prototypes built.[32]

In a December 2021 video update, the company revealed they had started construction in their newly acquired 80,000 square foot factory space and were "confident we will be able to begin supplying vehicles in the later part of 2022."[33]

A month later in January 2022 the San Diego Business Journal quoted Anthony as saying, "The company is wrapping up testing its Beta model and has been working on its Gamma design for the last six months. Once testing on the Gamma is done, Aptera will build its preproduction Delta model that will have most of the car’s components, like a complete interior, airbags and air conditioning."[34]

A webinar was hosted by Aptera Motors on June 14th, 2022 in which they outlined the company's progress.[35] At this webinar the team announced the completion of its Gamma prototype design and was aiming to complete its build of the first Gamma prototype in about 4 to 6 weeks. After that, the Delta pre-production prototype design "will take several more months" to complete. First customer delivery was still aiming for "the end of the year". They also said they plan to produce 1,000 vehicles in the first few months of production. Those first 1,000 vehicles will all be that 400-mile range version. First deliveries will be made to customers most local to their headquarters in San Diego, California.

Later in a video published on August 11, 2022 by the Fully Charged Show,[36] Anthony stated, "We are looking to produce our first production-intent vehicle by the end of the year and then scale production in 2023." Anthony also stated that pre-orders had grown to 27,000.

A more recent Aptera Motors press release dated November 3rd, 2022 stated in part, "With over 37,000 reservations, Aptera aims to begin deliveries in 2023 and ramp up to a full-scale production rate of 40 vehicles per day".[37]

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